Obama urges military action against Syria, but will seek Congress’ OK

(CNN) — U.S. President Barack Obama said Saturday that the United States “should take military action against Syrian targets” over its alleged use of chemical weapons, but added that he will seek congressional authorization for the move.

In a televised address from the White House Rose Garden, the president appealed for members of Congress to consider their responsibilities and values in debating U.S. military action over Syria’s alleged chemical weapons use.

“Today I’m asking Congress to send a message to the world that we are united as one nation,” he said.

Obama said top congressional leaders had agreed to schedule a debate when the body returns to Washington on September 9.

Obama’s remarks came shortly after U.N. inspectors left Syria, carrying evidence that will determine whether chemical weapons were used in an attack early last week in a Damascus suburb.

“The aim of the game here, the mandate, is very clear — and that is to ascertain whether chemical weapons were used — and not by whom,” U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters on Saturday.FULL STORY AT CNN HERE